Program Overview
Our nine-day Technology & Future Talents Trek brought together up to 30 U.S. students for an immersive journey through Shenzhen, Guizhou, and Beijing, exploring China’s vibrant technology ecosystem, diverse educational landscape, and rich cultural heritage.
The program offered exceptional opportunities to engage with leading educational institutions and innovation hubs. We visited top-tier Chinese universities and K–12 schools, interacted with renowned experts, and explored potential research and collaboration opportunities with cutting-edge education-technology companies and startups.
In Shenzhen, we experienced China’s rapid technological development and entrepreneurial energy. In Guizhou, we explored regional education, advanced infrastructure, and local culture. In Beijing, we engaged with academic institutions, emerging technologies, and China’s historic and cultural heritage.
Together, these experiences deepened our understanding of China’s innovation, education, history, and traditions, while enriching the overall journey.
Visit Top Universities and K-12 schools
Gain firsthand insights into real-life innovation education in action and learn how China is leading the way in tech-driven learning.
Foster Connections with Experts
Network with pioneers in education technology and innovation, and discover the latest advancements in the field.
Discover Chinese Culture
Experience vibrant culture through UNESCO world heritage sites and hands on session.
Thank you so much. I thought it was an amazing trip overall. Everything was beautifully planned, but what made it unforgettable was definitely the people!
-Trekker
Shenzhen: Innovation and Economic Transformation
We began our journey in Shenzhen, one of China’s most dynamic centers of economic growth and technological innovation. At the Shenzhen Exhibition Hall, we learned how the city developed from a regional community into a global innovation hub. Visits to Lianhuashan Park and Ping An Finance Center also gave us a closer look at Shenzhen’s urban development and modern identity.
At Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, we attended the opening ceremony and a lecture on the Chinese economy. Our visit to BYD Headquarters allowed us to see firsthand how research, manufacturing, and emerging technology are shaping China’s future.
Shenzhen highlights: economic development, university learning, technology, and corporate innovation.
Guizhou: Engineering, Education, and Regional Culture
In Guizhou, we experienced a very different side of China. At Guizhou Communications Polytechnic University, we visited the Bridge Museum and participated in a bridge science and technology course. This gave us a deeper appreciation for Guizhou’s remarkable engineering achievements and the role infrastructure plays in regional development.
One of the most memorable experiences was visiting the Huajiang Canyon Bridge and exploring its internal structure. We also visited Huangguoshu Waterfall, where the scale and beauty of the natural landscape offered a striking contrast to the engineering achievements we had just studied.
Our high school exchange in Guiyang was especially meaningful. We learned about the local education system and spoke directly with Chinese students about their school experiences and aspirations. Evening visits to Jiaxiu Pavilion and Qingyun Market gave us another opportunity to experience local history, food, and everyday city life.
Guizhou highlights: bridge engineering, natural landscapes, local education, and regional culture.
Beijing: Learning, Technology, and Heritage
In Beijing, we continued our academic and professional exploration through lectures on technological innovation, campus visits, and discussions with faculty. Our visit to iFLYTEK gave us insight into how artificial intelligence and education technology are being developed and applied in China.
We also spent time exploring China’s cultural heritage and rural communities. Our visits to Jinpoluo Village, the Mutianyu Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Jingshan Park helped us connect what we had learned in lectures with China’s history, traditions, and daily life.
The trek concluded with a closing ceremony and sharing session. It gave us the chance to reflect together on what we had learned, the people we had met, and the perspectives we would carry home.
Beijing highlights: academic exchange, emerging technology, rural engagement, and cultural heritage.
What made the trek especially meaningful was not only where we went, but how we experienced each place together. Through conversations, site visits, classroom exchanges, and shared meals, we developed a more personal and nuanced understanding of China. We returned with new friendships, broader perspectives, and a stronger belief in the value of direct cross-cultural exchange.
International and Intercultural Education Institute 